Clarks shoes enjoy Jamaican sales boom thanks to reggae singer Vybz Kartel

Shoemaker Clarks is enjoying an unlikely boom after a reggae song about the traditional British brand sent sales soaring – in Jamaica. Rapper Vybz Kartel released his single ‘Clarks’ earlier this year with the cover carrying pictures of his favourite shoes – Wallabees, Desert Boots and Desert Treks.

The rap features the catchy chorus line ”Everybody haffi ask weh mi get mi Clarks” and even has lyrics about the Queen wearing them. Since then sales of the traditional footwear have soared on the Caribbean island, with prices doubling and thieves targeting shops which stock them.



Clarks, made by a 185-year-old family company from Street, Somerset, enjoyed a similar boom in 1997 when Noel and Liam Gallagher began wearing Desert Treks. Kartel, 34, real name Adijah Palmer, has revealed that Clarks are deeply ingrained in Jamaican culture and added that he has over 50 pairs. He said: ”Clarks is as much a part of the Jamaican culture as ackee and saltfish and roast breadfruit, I swear to you.

”Policemen wear it, gangsters wear it. Big men wear it to their work. Schoolchildren wear it to school. I personally have more than 50 pair of Clarks. I have more than there are states in America.”